A little stress in life is a good thing. If we recall how a diamond is made, we know it is heat and pressure that turns a piece of coal into the valuable gem. Such is our lives. Challenge, study and concentration makes us smarter. Working out our muscles tears them and makes them grow back stronger. Yet, too much stress can be deadly. Run too much and one can get stress fractures. Too much stress in life can cause anxiety, lack of sleep, chest pain, and stomach ulcers. Personally, I have found that a great way to manage stress is to not worry about what I cannot control and confront the things that I can control so I do not worry about them. This means that I try very hard to be proactive and not procrastinate. I also find that my attitude towards a chore can make it less of a burden if I choose to look at it as a challenge versus a loathsome task and this lowers my stress. I find this is especially important when we are camping as there is a lot of work to do and little of the conveniences of our houses. As Scouting's founder, Baden-Powell, said: "A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances." Attitude is important; one who maintains a positive approach is not only someone that others want to be around, but also a healthier person.
A Scout is Cheerful.